Key facts
- 60% of today's jobs did not exist in 1940.
- The World Economic Forum predicts AI will create 170 million new jobs globally by 2030.
- New AI job examples include AI Transparency Advocate and Virtual Reality Workplace Designer.
Economists are examining historical labor disruptions, from the Industrial Revolution to the Great Depression, to understand how artificial intelligence may reshape the future of work. Research indicates that work has continuously evolved, with past technological shifts leading to the creation of new roles and the adaptation of existing ones. For instance, farm workers learned to use tractors, factory workers adopted computer systems, and office workers embraced digital tools. Society has also seen the emergence of entirely new careers such as wellness coaches and social media managers. The World Economic Forum forecasts that AI will generate approximately 170 million new jobs globally by 2030, surpassing the number it replaces. Examples of these emerging roles include AI Transparency Advocate, Virtual Reality Workplace Designer, and Personal Data Broker. However, the rapid pace of AI adoption, leveraging existing infrastructure, may present a greater adaptation challenge compared to previous innovations.